Ngai ethnic group

Proper name: San Ngai.

Other names: Ngai Hac Ca, Ngai Lau Man, He, Sin, Dan, Le, Xuyen.

Population: 1.154 people.

Language: The Ngai language belongs to the Chinese language group (Sino-Tibetan language family).

History: The Ngai have many different origins. They immigrated to Vietnam in many different waves, which happened during ancient and contemporary times.

Production activities: The Ngai are agriculturists who practice wet rice cultivation as their main livelihood. In addition to rice, the Ngai also grow other crops like corn, potatoes, and cassava, and they raise cattle. The Ngai groups who live on the coast and islands do mainly fishing. Handicrafts such as bamboo curtains and bamboo mattresses, carpentry, plastering, metal working, brick making, limestone work, etc., also play a significant role in the Ngai's living.

Diet: The Ngai eats 3 meals per day; they like to eat rice soup, however, the main food is vegetables. They like to use spices such as garlic, pepper, and ginger... in their meals.

Clothing: Often, Ngai clothing is not embroidered. Men wear trousers, and shirts with 2 or 3 pockets. Women wear long shirts that have 5 panels, buttoned under the right arm. Ngai women like to put their hair in braids that are wrapped around their heads.

Housing: The Ngai live scattered around the provinces of Bac Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh. They live in earthen houses with different architectural styles and roof types. Those who live on the coastline and islands usually live right on their boats.

Transportation: Residents of the highlands use carrying baskets and baskets hung on shoulder pole. Those who live near or on the sea use boats or motor boats.

Social organization: The Ngai have small patriarchal families. Their community relations remain very strong, though there has been some distinction made between the rich and the poor. In each village, the position of the head of the largest family line is extolled. He has a big role in solving all the disputes within the village.
The Ngai recognize relatives and divide family branches through the middle name system. The maternal side, especially an uncle called khao, has an important role in all kinship relations. Nevertheless, the Ngai still consider the father's lineage.